I have a Wecheer rotary tool. It’s similar to a fordom rotary tool but sold by woodcraft. I got it last year for a project and never really got it to do what I wanted to at the time. Yesterday I got it out, after all this time, to do some carving on a panel of a bed head I’m making. I got a good start too. Then the internal part of the shaft broke.

Does anyone have any experience with this unit or similar and breaking shafts? I only used it for about an hour. I’ve ordered a new shaft.

This is what it looks like

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful.

8 replies so far

I have a “Mastercarver” which is about the same thing and bought an extra shaft with the machine, as they suggested. Replaced it once after about a year. You need to keep the shaft pretty straight and speed down as slow as you can and still operate it. Do not apply too much load on this type of tool.

I have one of these as well. I broke my first shaft cable shortly after getting started using it. I later learned when I talked to a few friends at the Local Woodcraft that the cable drive shafts in these will sheer it over torqued. Using larger bits you have you have to remain less agressive. The shafts are readily available at Woodcraft if you happen to have one near by for just about $13.00. I have made it a habit to keep an extra on hand.

-- Jeff, Ability will never catch up with the demand for it. - Malcolm Forbes

dan, when you get your new shaft, pack that thing with grease just rub it on librelely , which mean a lot, and that will protect it from breakingif you use it a lot, then about every other month i would check it, if it sems dry, then grease it…that all you have to do, i wish you could fix them…seems a waste to have that spring an d all good except for that little problem braze it back on..something…luckily they are not that expensive…......

I’ve used a Fordom shaft for about 30 years. You can’t overload on the cutting end and you need lubrication on the shaft. Keep it greased like Griz states. Also try to keep the shaft as straight as you can when it is being used.

Good luck on your replacement. I’ve never busted a Fordom shaft.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

When this happened it cooked the rubber sleeve around the shaft. So, I’ve ordered both the sleeve and shaft. I was using the carving tools.. The straight chisel bits. Grizz, this isn’t like the fordom one. It says not to lubricate it. I hope the second one lasts longer.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful.

I agree with Jim Finn. Mastercarver also offers a heavy duty shaft which works great for both “hogging” off material and for detail work depending on the handpiece used. Call Carvers Supply in Florida and ask them if their heavy duty shaft will fit your Weecheer.

I noticed that my carving hand piece got pretty warm so I called my Mastercarver Supplier and he told me to only run it at less than 1/2 speed and make sure the flex shaft was installed properly. Not sticking out too far. I have since done that and it no longer heats up at all.